Office Information

Office Hours

Office Manager

None.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

None.

Is your firm willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

Whenever it is possible, our attorneys are willing to help a client with part of a case without taking on the whole case. However, this is something that is more practical with expungement petitions and with minor motor vehicle/traffic citations. When someone is facing criminal charges, the outcome is generally better when a client is represented by a private attorney or by a public defender.

What are your policies about dividing work within the firm to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

In our firm, the division of labor depends on the nature of the charges. Additionally, since Bickerton and Bickerton is a husband and wife firm, our attorneys work together on every case the firm handles. Therefore, our clients are getting the representation of two attorneys for the fee of one.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there is no option for mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law in resolving cases.

Bickerton and Bickerton offers a reduced fee program for low-income individuals.

Our firm participates in the community by sponsoring various non-profit organizations. Additionally, Lea T. Bickerton supports social inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by sitting on the advisory board for the Pittsburgh branch of Best Buddies.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

Bickerton and Bickerton distinguishes itself from other criminal defense firms in several important ways. Our attorneys are available to serve our clients seven days a week, including holidays. Our attorneys are also former public defenders and are therefore very sensitive to the financial circumstances of our clients. Last, but certainly not least, the close personal relationship the attorneys of Bickerton and Bickerton share allows them to consult with each other quickly and conveniently on all cases.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

We believe that an informed client is one who will be better able to help in his own defense. One of the worst mistakes a defendant can make is to take a passive approach to criminal charges. When a client educates him or herself on the issues, he or she can bring fresh perspectives to the case. We also find that an educated client has an easier time understanding how the process works and is more satisfied with the outcome of the case.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

For standard petitions, like expungements, we have no problem reviewing documents that are prepared by clients. When it comes to documents like motions or other technical documents, we believe that it would be a disservice to my clients to permit them to use a self-prepared document. With the different rights that need to be preserved and the rules that must be followed to protect those rights, it is simply not worth the risk to the client to use a self-prepared document in many cases.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

With criminal defense work, it is highly not advised that a defendant self-represent. There are numerous procedural rules as well as legal standards that most defendants don't have access to. When someone is at risk of going to jail or having to pay a fine, it is simply too risky to go to court without representation, be it from a private attorney or from a public defender.

William Bickerton

In our firm, the division of labor depends on the nature of the charges. Additionally, since Bickerton and Bickerton is a husband and wife firm, our attorneys work together on every case the firm handles. Therefore, our clients are getting the representation of two attorneys for the fee of one.

License

Bar Number: 87292
Pennsylvania , 2001

Education

University of Pittsburgh-School of Law
Juris Doctor
, 2001
Pittsburgh, PA

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